must be experimentally known. To reject it, as some do; to construe it away, as others; to admit it in speculation, and feel nothing of it, as others; and to mistake our own feelings and imaginations for gracious convictions, as others; are things to be guarded against. Let us read the Bible, examine our hearts and lives, and pray for the Holy Spirit: then we shall mourn in silence, feel that we are miserable sinners, be humbled before God, and seek salvation through the merits and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

THE PRAYER.

O God, the Father of mercies, graciously look on me, a miserable sinner. Thy word is true: I confess that my mind and heart are corrupt; that my thoughts, imaginations, and affections, are vain, worldly, frivolous, and sinful. Thou art holy; but I am unholy. O give me right views and convictions of my own character, and grant that I may truly repent, and rightly believe in our Saviour, and so pray and live, that, through the power of the Holy Ghost, I may please thee both in will and deed, and magnify thee for ever; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer and Advocate. Amen.

LECTURE VI.

THE DELUGE.

In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and

the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. Gen. vii. 11, 12.

ALMIGHTY God has been pleased to give many and awful proofs of his displeasure on account of sin. The condemnation of transgressing angels was an awful event; of which Saint Jude speaks thus: "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness unto the judgment of the great day." Saint Peter writes thus of the same affair. "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment." We see, then, that there has been shameful revolt from God in other worlds as well as in this world, and that revolt has been followed with the most awful punishment.

One of the most striking and tremendous displays of God's justice in the punishment of sin in this world, is the deluge; in which the whole race of mankind perished excepting only eight persons. Let us dwell with serious minds on this great event, and endeavour to learn some of the lessons which it is intended to teach us.

I. We may briefly consider the different particulars that enter into this awful manifestation of God's holiness and justice.

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1. Consider the cause of this calamity. It was the wickedness of mankind. And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." "And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth." Here is an awful representation of man, given by Him who could not err. very painful to see rational and immortal creatures, who were made to serve God, and to enjoy his favour,

It is

so corrupt and wicked. But such was man: and is he not such at present?

2. We should notice the forbearance of God. "And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. Thus was a period given for consideration and repentance. God thus showed that he would not the death of a sinner, but had rather that he should turn and live. So it is that he acts with sinners. He bears with them; he gives them warning; he allows them time for repentance; so that sin may not be their ruin.

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3. We must observe the incorrigible conduct of these sinners. Not the patience and warning of God, not the instructions of Noah, "a preacher of righteousness," not the strivings of God's Spirit, not the sight of the ark, affected these besotted people. Our Lord tells us what their conduct was. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all." Thus sinners abuse the mercy and defy the justice of God. Nothing can awaken them to serious thought. They pursue their cares and pleasures, and are secure on the very brink of destruction.

4. Let us how see the determination of God. Mercy is no more to be extended to sinners, and justice is to take its course. "And the Lord said, I will destroy man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth; both man and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air: for it repenteth me that I have made them." How awful is the case of that nation, or of that individual, who has so provoked God as to become the subject of his displeasure and heavy judgments.!

5. We must distinctly remark the merciful conduct of God to his people. In those evil days there was one truly good man. "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. These are the generations of Noah:

Noah was a just man, and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God." Noah, as we learn from the Scriptures was a true believer, a man obedient to the commands of God, a worshipper of God, and a teacher of others. This man is not suffered to perish in the overthrow. "And the Lord said unto Noah,

Come thou and all thy house into the ark: for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation." Thus while God is meditating the destruction of the world, he takes an especial care of his faithful servant.

6. Now we see the execution of the divine purpose. But here is a scene that we cannot easily conceive, much less can we describe it. The whole frame of nature is convulsed: the globe is shattered, and pours up torrents from its depths, while torrents of water also descend from its heavens. Who can express the anguish, the terror, the dismay, the agony of the inhabitants of the earth! All schemes, all efforts for escape are vain; for forty days and nights the waters increase; the hills are soon covered; and not a human being is alive except Noah and his family. Here we see the wrath and the power of God.

II. Let us learn a few of the lessons which we are taught by this dreadful visitation.

I. How displeasing to God is sin! How strongly indeed is this marked out in these words! "And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart." How strongly is it marked out in the destruction of the world by the flood! Is that a small evil or a light thing, which led to such a tremendous and calamitous proceeding!

2. How awful is God in his judgments! He is forbearing, gracious, and merciful; but he is also holy and just. If we submit to his will, he is a gracious Father; but if we be rebellious, he will be a consuming fire. The torrents of water destroying the bodies of men show the wrath of God; but these are only faint images of that tempestuous fury which will form the punishment

of undone souls for ever. Let us think of this subject, and tremble.

3. How secure are the pious! The eye of God is upon them for good. He saved Noah; and he always. saves his people. Enclosed in the ark, the true Church of Christ, and baptized with the Holy Spirit, and being perfect in their generation, no harm shall eventually befal them. They may share the various trials of life, and often drink a bitter cup; but God will show, either in this world, or in that which is to come, or in both, that he is their portion and happiness.

4. How necessary is true piety! A day is coming when God will destroy the world by fire. If we be truly religious, the flame that burns the world shall not at all disturb us; but if we be wicked and ungodly, we shall sink into a more tremendous fire, even into that which cannot be quenched. Piety is happiness in life, hope in death, confidence and security in Judgment, and glory for ever. If we have piety, we have all things: if we have not, we have nothing. Are we in our day what Noah was in his day?

THE PRAYER.

O Almighty Lord God, teach me so to meditate on all thy judgments that I may stand in awe of thee, and guard against sin. Give me repentance of all my past sins; and pardon me through the atoning blood of our blessed Savour; and give me grace so to believe and live that I may please thee in all things. Grant that I may walk with thee, and be perfect in my generation. O let thy Spirit effectually strive with me, and with all mankind; and may we all so improve our mercies that we may be found in the Church of Christ, and be safe amidst all the events of life and all the revolutions of worlds, and magnify thy mercy and love for ever and ever. Grant this, O Lord, for the sake of our blessed Redeemer. Amen.